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Here's lots of great rug information:
Books and Newsletter back to top
Newsletter
February, 2012
Coming soon …
Books
Rugs of Nations recommends these books on rugs. Click on a cover image for more information.
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Dr. Bashian’s book is a must read for Rug aficionados.
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Dr. Scott’s book is a must read for purist.
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The Basics of Oriental Rugs back to top
Oriental rugs have enchanted and fascinated owners and admirers throughout the
world for centuries. Their painstaking craftsmanship, enchanting patterns, and magical
beauty are simply captivating. They are dreams made incarnate - twisting labyrinths of flowers,
mystical animals, and ancient symbols.
The traditional patterns have been handed down through countless generations. Yet, they
are infused with individuality and character as the weaver sits down at the loom and creates their own
interpretation of the dictates of history.
Oriental rugs are the embodiment of beauty, and when we open ourselves to their message and
take delight in their exotic designs, we enrich our lives immeasurably.
Benefits of Displaying a Rug in Your Home back to top
There are many major benefits to displaying an area rug on your floor including durability,
functionality, ambiance, sound reduction, and beauty.
Area rugs set the character and mood of a room, and allow you to
effectively personalize your space. Area rugs are the perfect companion to your feet for the comfort and,
often, plush texture they provide. Area rugs help to absorb and reduce noise. If your room has a slight
echo, an area rug is the perfect solution.
What is an Oriental Rug? back to top
When stripped of the age-old mystique of magic carpets, Oriental rugs can be defined as a hand
woven rug of natural fiber made in geographical areas that include the Near East, Middle East,
Far East and the Balkans. True Oriental rugs also share a common characteristic -
the manner in which they're made.
Oriental Rugs are either flat-woven or hand-knotted, threads form both the rug itself and
the design. In hand-knotted rugs, strands of yarn are tied into the flat-woven fabric, creating
a pile and pattern.
Like any fine work of art, Oriental rugs appreciate with the passage of time. During their
2,000 year history, Oriental rugs have been a standard of luxury and have proved countless
times their value increases over the years.
Antique rugs are generally the most valuable Orientals. The reason is twofold: they have a
proven record of appreciation because of their increasing scarcity, and the passage of time
has mellowed and enhanced their beautiful colors. Collectors prize them not only for investment
potential but also for their loveliness.
A good quality genuine Oriental rug, properly cared for, can last a lifetime, often enduring to
the handed down to the next generation. Naturally, when one makes a life-long purchase of such
significance, it is necessary to have a working knowledge of the product, but with the beginner
in mind, here is a very introductory primers of what factors affect the value of an Oriental Rug.
AGE
If you are buying an antique (100 years or more) or semi-antique (50-75 years old), be sure to
examine it thoroughly. Check for moth damage, stains, brittleness, patches and repairs. Any
damage lowers the value of an antique rug, although skillfully made repairs will not have a
great impact on the value. As location is to Real Estate, condition is to the valuations of
an Oriental Rug.
BEAUTY
Genuine Oriental Rugs are works of art. The labor involved is as exacting as that of fine
sculpture and the beauty of the piece is often as personally interpreted. Still it is valid to
say that the overall beauty of the piece is a determining factor in value.
CONSTRUCTION
Many Oriental Rugs are categorized by knots per square inch. The high the knot count,
the finer the rug. The materials employed in the rug whether it is all silk, all wood, cotton
foundation and wool pile or some other combination help define the value and predict
the longevity of the rug.
DESIGN
Once upon a time, a rug's design could identify its country of manufacture. As the world
has become increasingly global in trade, the distinct lines of production have blurred.
Artists borrow inspiration from the world around them, including the rugs they see from
other lands. Popular designs have been adapted to be reproduced for all the world
to share. It may required an expert eye to identify a rug's origin.
Oriental Rugs vs. Persian Rugs back to top
As important as the construction is to the rug, a rug's origin is just as integral to the design,
history and workmanship of the rug.
Often Oriental and Persian rugs are referred to interchangeably. However, there is
actually a difference and “rugophiles” are of the opinion that it is a very serious one. Others,
not as concerned with the geography and politics of rugs, tend to lump Persian and
Oriental area rugs together. Nevertheless, it’s good to know the difference so you understand
what sales people are referring to while you're shopping, particularly if you are looking
to buy an antique rug. Knowing the distinctions between Persian and Oriental rugs
will also help you test a seller’s knowledge.
Oriental Rugs
By the strictest definition, Oriental rugs are carpets hand knotted only in Asia. Iran,
China, India, Russia, Turkey, Pakistan, Tibet and Nepal are some of the biggest rug exporters.
Persian Rugs
Persian rugs also are Oriental rugs but they are made only in Iran (formerly known as
Persia). An authentic Persian rug or carpet is hand knotted. Persian rug designs were
once named after the city in which they were created. As their popularity increased,
these patterns became produced elsewhere and kept their original names. Tabriz,
Hamadan, Gabbeh, Heriz and Dubba are some of the most popular designs that have
kept their regional namesakes. Characteristics of a Persian rug include an unusually
thick pile (up to 160 knots per square inch), extremely rich color combinations and unique designs.
History of Oriental & Persian Rugs back to top
Rug weaving is an ancient art that reached its pinnacle with the hand-loomed Oriental rugs
of 16th-century Turkey, Persia, and central Asia. By the 17th
and 18th centuries, French and English rug designers were producing a
variety of innovative styles and textures. The impressive European rugs were woven by hand
until 1841, when Erastus Bigelow introduced the power loom. While some rugs are still hand
woven, most contemporary rug producers utilize modern machinery.
Our Oriental-style rugs combine the quality of ancient rug makers with a wide selection
of classical and modern designs, all the while offering you a choice between natural or
synthetic materials.
Rug weaving boasts both a vibrant and ancient history. Since the earliest civilized societies,
humans have utilized various forms of rugs. In the Garden of Eden animal hides were
used as clothing and, without a doubt, these same hides soon
became floor coverings in the most primitive of homes. Soon, people began
making crudely woven rugs from reeds and other vegetation. Not unlike in today’s homes,
a good rug or hide was heralded as one of the family’s most valuable possessions. Researchers have
found several references to the art of rug weaving in a variety of ancient scriptures and classical writings,
allowing us to establish a timeline in the history of rugs and the use of certain rug-making
methods and materials.
Based on fragments found in Mesopotamian and Egyptian tombs, we know that various
types of flat weaving were well developed more than 4,000 years ago.
Other evidence collected by historians indicates the weaving
of pile rugs was present in the Middle East, and parts of Asia long before 2,000 BC.
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In Asia, nomadic wanderers were likely the first groups to create rugs in mass quantities.
This is probably due to the fact that the domestication and raising of sheep was a traditional
occupation for the nomadic wanderers who found rug weaving an effective way to utilize
their wool. Initially, the thick wooly covering of the animal hide was used to
protect against the cold. Most likely, the craft of weaving wool into rugs and other items
was developed to replace the rough animal hide.
In 1949, an important event in the history of rugs took place. While unearthing a burial site
in Siberia, a Russian archeologist named Sergei Rudenko discovered what is known as
the “Pazyryk” carpet.This is the oldest known surviving rug. It was long frozen in ice,
which preserved the carpet’s fiber, color and design. Dating back to the 5th century BCE,
this amazing find features rich colors, striking details and a hand-knotted technique -
namely, the Ghiodes (Turkish) knot - that is still in popular use today.
The rug had an average of 200 knots per square inch. The Pazyryk carpet was a major
discovery and new interest into the history of rugs.
The Pazyryk carpet is highly regarded as an outstanding work of Scythian art. Most rug experts
familiar with this piece believe that the nomads who wove it came to the area from the region
now known as Mongolia. There is general agreement that even if the Mongolians first wove pile
rugs, it was the Persians who took the craft and developed it into a true art form.
A rug called the “Spring Carpet of Chosroes” (also spelled Khosrows) belonging to the King of
Persia was the oldest known rug prior to the discovery of the Pazyryk carpet. The king’s rug,
which dates back to about 550 BCE, was made of wool, silk, gold, silver and precious stones.
Hand-knotted and measuring 400 feet by 100 feet in size, the Spring Carpet of Chosroes
weighed several tons! This
massive rug featured many scenes of springtime including birds in flight, flowers in bloom,
ripening fruits and a green meadow around the border, which was believed to include solid
emeralds. There were stories of the king taking many walks on this rug during the winter to
enjoy the colorful depictions of spring.
Sadly, the Spring Carpet of Chosroes was shredded into many pieces when the Arabs
conquered Persia. This was done to collect all the precious jewels that were woven into
the rug. Some of the stones and jewels
are still in existence and can be seen in museums around the world.
Beginning in Spain - likely due to its trade and connections with Egypt, Mesopotamia and
Persia - it wasn’t until after 1000 CE when the art of pile rug weaving began in Europe.
According to the known history of rugs, the use and distribution of
pile rugs throughout Europe related to historically significant events such as the presence of
the Moors in Spain, the Crusades during the 11th to 13th centuries, the travels of Marco Polo
in the late 1200’s as well as the spreading influence from the embassies of Venice from the
13th century onwards.
When Eleanor of Castile married Edward I of England in the year 1255, she brought with her
many fine Spanish rugs, which probably came from Cordoba or Granada. While the royal
couple enjoyed the comfort of rugs,t they were largely the exception. Most residences in
England, including palaces
and large houses belonging to land owners, made use of rushes and hay strewn about for their
floor covering until the early part of the 17th century. Accounts of the daily activities during that
time reveal that many lords and other royalty had their hay “rugs” replaced every day.
A German traveler by the name of Paul Hentzer wrote in his journal that in 1598 at Greenwich
Palace, he personally saw fresh hay being strewn about on the floor of Queen Elizabeth’s
chamber. Over the years, more and more British people of wealth and influence began using pile rugs in
their homes. Eventually, rugs became almost as popular in England as in other parts of the world.
It is interesting to note that rugs resembling Oriental rugs can be seen in old European paintings.
This supports the belief that Europeans were importing Oriental or Persian rugs long before they
learned how to make their own rugs. Most of Europe, England, and the Scandinavian countries
were producing rugs of their own by the mid 18th to 19th century. However, handmade rugs from
these areas are rare today because they're not able to compete with the high quality and low cost
of labor for Oriental rugs.
Some European countries, especially Belgium, developed a major machine-made rug
industry after World War II. They concentrated on what they could do well and left
the making of hand-made rugs to those in a more favorable position to do so.
In the United States, we have our own form of “Oriental Rug”. Native Americans, the
Navajos in particular, have a notable history dating back to around 1700, when the Navajo were
believed to have learned the craft of rug-making from the Pueblo tribe. This theory is supported
by stories passed down from tribal elders as well as examples of Navajo rugs dating back to
1700 that are a close parallel to rugs made by the Pueblos. The main difference between
rugs made by the two groups is that Navajo rugs were made with wool, while the Pueblo rugs were
made with cotton.
The Navajo Nation is located in the western part of the United States. The Nation occupies much of the land
in an area called the four corners. This is where the borders of four states meet, namely, Arizona, New
Mexico, Utah, and Colorado. There are still Navajo rug makers in that area that weave these
rugs in the traditional handcrafted way. Navajo rugs, one of many types of Southwestern rugs,
cover a wide range of intricate patterns and designs, with an emphasis on geometric lines and
shapes. The rug design may include a family emblem, have religious overtones, or display appreciation
for one or more aspects of the environment.
Dyes to color the rugs were derived from a variety of plant sources until the mid 1800’s, when
the Navajo started using dye sources introduced by Europeans, mainly German and Spanish.
Toward the end of the 1800’s, some of the Navajo rug makers started using commercial yarn
rather than preparing their own wool from their sheep. The Europeans also introduced
the Navajo to other designs, such as Oriental rug patterns, that could be incorporated into the
Navajo rugs.
Although often called "rugs", most of these flat-woven creations were used for
blankets or worn on the shoulders of the tribal chiefs until the 1880s. By the late 1880s, the trading
posts began asking for more pillow covers and blankets to meet the demand of visitors wanting
to decorate their homes. At first, the items were of an inferior quality, due to so many being made
in a short time. The rug-makers realized they needed to be true to their craft and quality took
precedence over production time. Many people wanted floor coverings instead of blankets
and that’s when the making of Navajo rugs truely began.
Near the end of the 1800’s there was a huge increase in the number of rugs made and the
economic significance of rug making due to the demand from trading posts and white tourists.
Beginning in the 1890’s, the Santa Fe railroad made it possible for more and more visitors from
all around the United States as well as Europe to visit the Southwest region.
They loved the Navajo rugs and the rugs, which they valued as original works of art rather
than simple souvenirs.
Regardless of the type of rug you own, whether just one or a varied collection, the art of
rug making chronicles much of human history. All handmade rugs are unique works of
art and should be treated as valuable heirlooms and assets. In the modern world, there are
many less expensive copies that are manufactured for a fraction of the cost, they can still
offer a very similar look and can be quite valuable. Some more so than others,
but the concept is still the same. Modern designer rugs are often made of tufted carpet
products as well as woven goods.
Carpets have held magical appeal since Scheherazade first told the story of Aladdin and his
flying carpet. For thousands of years, Oriental carpets have inspired literature, art and music.
Since its inception by the nomads in Turkey and Mongolia, rug making has developed into an
art that has survived political and religious upheaval. The art of rug making is one of the common threads
that tie cultures together through the centuries.
3000 BC
1000 BC
500 BC
7th- 8th Century
13th and 14th Century
The Crusades bring the appreciation of carpet weaving to Europe. In 1277, King Louis IX spreads rug popularity through France. Rugs are custom woven “to order” in the Middle East for European customers.
15th Century
16th Century
The height of rug making in China begins during the Manchus Dynasty,
also known as the Qing Dynasty. Rug making flourishes in the Middle East during the rule of the Safavid Dynasty. Encrusted with jewels, the Ardebil carpets are the most famed of the time. Today, the Ardebil
carpets now reside in the Victoria and Albert Museum. The Persian rug-weaving industry becomes nearly obsolete in 1722
when the Afghans invade Persia. The Mongul emperor, Akbar, starts rug making in India by bringing Persian weavers
from Kashan, Isfahan and Kerman. Rugs are now considered too precious to put on floors; instead they are
used to adorn tables, chests and walls. In 1570, rug weaving is introduced in England to replicate Persian carpets.
17th Century
Rug Symbols back to top
Ancient rugs were not only pieces of art, but also works of literature since each rug told a
story with the symbols weaved into it. Below is a list of some of the commonly used
symbols found in ancient rugs and their meaning:
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Ram with Horns
(male fertility) |
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Lion
(victory) |
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Deer
(well being) |
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Crane
(longevity) |
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Bat
(happiness) |
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Fish
(abundance & prosperity) |
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Dog
(protector of nobel places) |
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Phoenix
(Empress) |
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Stag
(long life) |
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Dragon
(Emperor) |
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Duck
(faithful marriage) |
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Dove
(peace) |
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Camel
(wealth) |
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Tarantula
(prevents bad luck) |
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